Differential Impacts of a Computer Information System on Selected Human Service Agencies

An analysis of the impact of a computerized information system on selected users in eight human service agencies indicates that the Guidance Information System assists users in determining educational-occupational plans, increasing occupational knowledge, and making career plans. Counselors desiring to use computer information systems will need in-service training for examining program impact and philosophical issues, and in designing adjunct career guidance activities.     

Improving Career Decision Making With Adults: Use of Portfolios

This article provides a model for developing a career portfolio process for use with high school students and adults functioning in various types of learning endeavors as they seek credentials or licenses for various careers.     

EVIDENCING THE ESCHATON: PROGRESSIVE‐TRANSFORMATIVE ANIMAL WELFARE IN THE CHURCH FATHERS

The author aims to retrieve and creatively develop a strand of Christian thought, stretching from early Christian interpretations of biblical data through the hagiographies of the saints into modern Christian thought, which provides a foundation for concern over the welfare of nonhuman animals. To provide the framework for this strand, the author explores the theology of Irenaeus of Lyons and Ephrem the Syrian. First, he considers their positions regarding the place of nonhuman animals in protology and eschatology. Then, he notes their view that the created order is in via toward its eschatological consummation. With this framework in place, he turns to other voices in the Christian tradition, including the hagiographies of the saints, in order to further develop the framework. Ultimately, the author suggests that, within this particular strand of Christian thought, the further a human being progresses along the path of redemption, the more he or she ought to serve as a prolepsis of eschatological hope, which includes peaceful relationships between humans and animals.     

LEVINAS AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

For Levinas dialogue occurs when one is open to and receptive of the Other. He cautions, however, that although dialogue impedes violence, it should not be pursued unilaterally or vigorously, because this can also lead to violence. The abolition of violence, which is the goal at which dialogue aims, can instead turn violent in the face of unrestrained persuasive discourse. Vigilance and caution must be maintained if dialogue is not to lapse into hostility and aggression. It is important to respect differences and acknowledge insoluble problems in order to avoid animosity. Without recognition and respect, dialogue can become adversarial and antagonistic.     

Minority Report: Reconsidering Jürgen Moltmann's Turn to a Theology of the Cross

According to virtually any set of criteria, Jürgen Moltmann's first two programmatic books, Theology of Hope and The Crucified God, are strikingly different. The differences are due to his turn to a theology of the cross in the intervening years. Yet Moltmann, with the vast majority of scholars concurring, argues that the two works form a continuous argument. This article investigates the problems with the consensus judgement and calls for a revision of the relationship between the two works, based on the nature of the cross–resurrection dialectic inherent to his programme and also on both the necessity and timing of the turn.     

BEYOND PERSONALITY TRAITS: A STUDY OF PERSONALITY STATES AND SITUATIONAL CONTINGENCIES IN CUSTOMER SERVICE JOBS

Although the interactionist approach has been applied to understanding situational influences on the expression of personality at work, examination of within‐person variation in personality trait expression in the workplace is lacking. Using experience sampling methodology, this study examined the moment‐to‐moment influences of situational characteristics on personality states (i.e., situational contingencies) during social interactions on 56 customer service employees over 10 days at work. At the within‐individual level, state Conscientiousness was associated with the immediacy of the task, and state Extraversion and Agreeableness were associated with the friendliness of the other party in the interaction. At the between‐individual level, self‐monitoring did not moderate the associations between situational characteristics and personality states but predicted the mean level of state Conscientiousness at work over and above trait Conscientiousness. Contrary to expectations, the relationship between state Extraversion and friendliness was weaker in customized service jobs than in noncustomized ones.     

APPLICANT WITHDRAWAL: THE ROLE OF TEST-TAKING ATTITUDES AND RACIAL DIFFERENCES

The role of test-taking attitudes in the decisions of applicants to withdraw from a selection process was examined. Measures of test-taking attitudes were administered to 3,290 police officer applicants. Interviews were conducted with 618 applicants who withdrew from the selection process. Comparative anxiety, motivation, and literacy scales were found to predict withdrawal, but the effects were quite small. African-Americans were more likely to withdraw. Small race differences were found on test attitude scales. The requirement of taking a test was not a major factor in applicant withdrawal; procedural fairness and several other factors appeared to play a greater role. A model of applicant withdrawal is proposed based on the qualitative data from applicants who withdrew.